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Bougainville News : Momis says PNG relations are at an all time low

“The PM fails dismally to respect the Peace Agreement, over mining, grant payments, and transfer of powers. Under his leadership, relations between Bougainville and the National Government are at an all-time low. The future of peace is now truly under threat.

“This is the most serious dispute ever between the two governments. I am offering the PM a last opportunity to resolve the dispute. I want a meeting with him no later than next week.”

Bougainville President, John Momis has expressed fury at the Prime Minister’s announcement

That 17.4% BCL equity recently transferred to PNG by Rio Tinto will be given to landowners and Bougainville’s people. The PM said he deliberately decided that way so that the ‘ABG does not control the shares’.

The President said he was angry because it’s the ABG that speaks for the people of Bougainville, and cannot be excluded by the PM. Further, the transfer of 17.4% the landowners is worth little. The ABG Mining Law gives them full decision-making involvement and a good revenue share if mining resumes.

“The future of Panguna is Bougainville’s most sensitive issue. I have explained to the PM several times why it is vital the ABG holds the Rio shares in BCL. He has rejected my advice. He is interfering in Bougainville. He acts in the same high-handed manner as the colonial administration and BCL when the mine began. That caused the Bougainville crisis.

“The Bougainville Peace Agreement says autonomy aims for Bougainville to find solutions to its own problems. The ABG is the government for Bougainville for all matters where powers are transferred. All mining powers have been transferred. So all mining decisions are matters for the ABG.

“If we cannot resolve the issue, the Mining Minister will use the power under the ABG law to cancel BCL’s exploration licence under the Bougainville Mining Act over the area of the previous Panguna SML. Notice has already been given to BCL to show cause why the licence should not be cancelled.

“That licence is BCL’s only major asset. Cancellation would make all BCL shares almost worthless. That includes the 19.2% BCL equity PNG has held since 1972. If the ABG is to remain in control of Bougainville mining we have no choice.

“Bougainville’s MPs must now show leadership and end their shameful silence on this issue. They must advise the PM to transfer the shares to the ABG.

“ABG action to cancel the licence will not reduce Panguna-lease landowner involvement in decisions about Panguna, or sharing in revenue if the mine does re-open. That’s because the Bougainville Mining Act gives those landowners full power to say no to grant of a mining licence. So they will be fully involved in all decisions on mine re-opening.

“The Act also guarantees landowners 5% equity (free carry) in the mining operating company. That will be worth much more than the PM’s 17.4% because re-opening will cost K20 billion, dramatically diluting all existing equity. Our Act guarantees a valuable share in the fully funded mine. The PNG 17.4% gives a small minority shareholding in a company now worth very little.